Holder for books and the like

ABSTRACT

A holder for books and the like comprising a first generally Lshaped unit, a second generally L-shaped unit, said units being comprised of a horizontal member and an upstanding member and said units being arranged in back-to-back relationship to each other each horizontal member of said L-shaped units comprising a top portion, a bottom portion substantially coplanar to said top portion and an elastic band retaining means secured to at least said bottom portion, said elastic band retaining means having portions situated on either side of a vertical plane perpendicularly bisecting the upstanding member, said portions having a realtively smooth external surface and at least one elastic band circumscribing opposite portions of the elastic band retaining means on each of said L-shaped units about said relatively smooth surfaces.

United States Patent 11 1 Merola July 24, 1973 HOLDER FOR BOOKS AND THE LIKE 1 [76] inventor: Anthony Merola, 957 Wellesley Rd., Pnmary Examme' Ramn Butts Pittsburgh, 15206 Attorney-Roberts B. Larson et al.

[22] Filed: Feb. 15, 1972 57 ABSTRACT V 211 A N 226 622 A holder for books and the like comprising a first generally L-shaped unit, a second generally L-shaped unit, said units being comprised of a horizontal member and [52] US. Cl. 211/43 an upstanding member and said units being arranged in [51] Int. Cl. A47b 65/00, A47f 5/10 bacbtmback relationship to each other each horizom [58] Field of Search 211/43, 42, 184, ta] member of said bshaPed units comprising a top 211/5" 40; 108/61 portion, a bottom portion substantially coplanar to said top portion and an elastic band retaining means se- [56] Rena-"Ices c'ted cured to at least said bottom portion, said elastic band UNlTED STATES PATENTS retaining means having portions situated on either side Dl06,683 10 1937 Farr 211 43 x f a verti al plane perpendicularly bisecting the upl,237,l0l 8/1917 Ryan standing member, said portions having a realtively 1.332.884 11/1931 U smooth external surface and at least one elastic band 13751345 9/1932 Riddel-m circumscribing opposite portions of the elastic band reg h f taining means on each of said L-shaped units about said 313571597 12/1967 citric: relatively Surfaces- 3,399,782 9/1968 Bascom 211/43 21 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PAIEN TED JUL 2 4 I973 SHEET 5 OF 8 HGLDER FOR BOOKS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to an improvement in holders or supports for holding books, magazines, file folders, papers, and the like on a desk, table, or other surface in such a manner as to hold them secured between side supporting members while at the same time enabling the articles to be easily inserted and removed therefrom. The arrangement is such that when a plurality of items are being supported in the device and one or more of them is removed, the side supporting members will immediately adjustthemselves to the thickness of the remaining items in the device. The reverse is also the case as the side supporting members will adjust themselves to new increased dimensions as additional items are inserted therebetween to be supported.

Holders for books and the like provided with spring means by which side upstanding members of the holder are urged together have been known for years as represented by the devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,674,582 to .I. Wheeler and US. Pat. No. 2,911,103 to WJ. Kunkler. The spring actuated devices have met with little commercial success, however, for a number of reasons. Among the shortcomings of these prior art devices are the labor and cost involved in insuring that the spring means is properly covered in order to preclude the possibility of it catching or snagging inserted materials. Another disadvantage of the prior art devices is the difficulties presented in repairing the device once the spring means breaks or becomes detached. Lastly, the efficiency of expansion and retraction in theprior art devices leaves much to be desired without the additional provision of guide means for the upstanding members.

These shortcomings of the prior art devices are overcome or alleviated by the present invention. The invention involves in brief the use of two units moveable toward and away from each other, and each having a material engaging surface between which surfaces books, magazines, file folders, or other material to be held is adapted to inserted and clamped. The arrangement is such that when one or more books, folders or the like are withdrawn the units are caused to move toward each other by special elastic means so as to accommodate the clamping action to the thickness of the remaining material between the units.

The invention may take a variety of forms each suited for a particular purpose and may take a form suited for general use but adaptable for several purposes.

In all of its embodiments the books, file folders, magazines and the like, are adapted to be supported in an upright or vertical position. In such position they occupy much less room on a table or desk, are easily inserted or removed, and the position in which they are held is usually such that the label or title or other indicia of their contents is readily discernible. The device preferably is constructed of flat, relatively thin, plastic sheets or plates, which are lightweight and noncumbersome. If desired, the device can be provided with handle means permitting the device to be transported from place to place with or without books, file folders or other material therein.

In all of its embodiments the device incorporates a special arrangement of an elastic band (or bands) which exerts a strong pulling force on the units to draw them as close together as the intervening material will permit. This is effected in such manner that the elastic band will be free to stretch, contract and slide and not be caught by or caused to bind against the material being supported as might occur if :a spiral spring or the like were used in place ofthe elastic hand. More particularly the arrangement for the elastic band is such that the stretching and contraction is effected in an even manner through the use of specially positioned retaining means provided with a smooth external surface over which the band is disposed.

It is an object of the invention to provide such device. These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims when considered with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention shown with books being supported thereby;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the same embodiment of FIG. I with the books removed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. I also with the books removed;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional detail showing one of the spacing and elastic band retaining members;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the device of FIGS. l-S as used with a connecting base support member showing the device with books being supported thereby;

FIG. '7 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG. 6 but with the books removed.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with portions broken away;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention showing books therein;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the modification of FIG. 10 but with the books removed;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the modification of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a partial bottom perspective view of the modification of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a partial top plan view showing a modified mounting arrangement for the elastic band; and

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the elastic band mounting means is a said integral part of the unit; and 7 FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-B the device is comprised of two identical units 10, 10' which are generally L-shaped in cross section each being made up of an upstanding member, l4, l4 and a horizontal member. The horizontal member and the upstanding members are preferably formed of flat relatively thin but rigid plastic such as polystyrene.

The horizontal member is comprised of bases 12, 12 which are disposed in spaced parallel relation a short distance above base plates 16, 16' to which they are secured by means of an elastic band retaining means such as spacer elements 18. In this embodiment there being three such spacer elements 18 for each of the units (as seen in FIG. 3), one adjacent each side edge of the unit and one in the middle, the latter being spaced a greater distance from the upstanding member 14, 14' of the unit on which it is mounted, thus being disposed to form a triangle. Also preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the spacer elements 18 are formed of a bolt or the like 20 forming an axle for a roller element 22.

With reference to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the two units 10, are disposed in back-to-back position. They are constantly urged into this position by means of a special arrangement employing an endless elastic band 24. The endless band 24 is disposed in the spaces between the bases 12, 12' and the plates l6, l6, and passes around the roller elements 22 of one of the units and thence to the other unit where it extends around the three roller elements 22 of that unit.

FIG. 2 also shows the upstanding members l4, 14' as being flared outwardly from bottom to top. This construction facilitates the insertion of books, files, magazines, or other material being placed therebetween. For example as a book is inserted the units l0, 10 separate a sufficient distance to accommodate the book. Such separation is effected against the force exerted by the elastic band which urges the units toward each other, such elastic force, after the insertion of the books or the like causing the upstanding members 12, 12' to engage the book firmly and hold it neatly in position. The elastic band arrangement permits the insertion of any number of files, magazines, books, or the like between the units, one or more at a time. Also, the arrangement facilitates and permits the subsequent removal of any of the items being held, regardless of their thickness, the elastic band just drawing the units closer together as each item is removed.

The expansion of the units to accommodate books or other material of various thickness and the subsequent contraction when such material is removed can be effected over a surprisingly large range. This is made possible in part by the arrangement of the elastic band, which upon stretching and contracting does not bear against any edge or surface of the unit but only against the relatively smooth external surface of the spacer elements 18 over which the elastic band slides up on stretching. Expansion of the units 10, 10' to considerable distances is possible as there is no structure to limit the distance the units can be separated, such distance only being limited by the degree to which the elastic band can be stretched.

It has already been indicated that the upstanding members 14, 14' flare outwardly from bottom to top. Again, with reference to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the angle of flare is less than 90 so that in fully closed position with no book or the like being held in place the upstanding members 14, 14' assume their diverging position. The insertion of a book or the like therebetween results in a good clamping action as it forces the lower portions of upstanding members apart more than the upper portions. This mitigates against an otherwise obvious tendency for the lower portions to rise thus tilting the units about the free edges of their bases 12, 12'.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device with no books or the like between the upstanding members l4, l4 and it shows perhaps better than the other figures (though in dotted lines) the manner in which the elastic band 24 passes around the spacer elements 22 of both units.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective of one of the units turned upside down so as to show how the elastic band 24 extends over the corner roller 22 before passing to the other unit.

FIG. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view showing the same structure but with the elastic band removed.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the two unitsl0, 10' may be combined with supporting panel 26 which preferably is an elongated rectangular member which is relatively thin but rigid and strong. The two units 10, 10' are mounted on this panel 26 simply by a dovetail arrangement the plates 16, 16' having central rectangular cutouts on their undersurfaces, the side edges of the cutouts being bevelled as at 28. The side edges of the supporting panel 26 are bevelled in a complementary direction. In this manner the units l0, 10' can be slidably mounted on the supporting panel 26. A detail of the bevel connection is illustrated in FIG. 9. In this manner, as illustrated in FIG. 6, books or other material placed in the device, in addition to being clamped firmly between the units are supported by the supporting panel 26. It will be appreciated that as books are inserted or withdrawn, the units l0, 10' will slide along on the supporting panel 26 to adjust their position to the thickness of the books or the like inserted or removed.

It will also be noted from FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 that the upper edges of the upstanding members 14, 14' are curved outwardly and downwardly to form handles 30 which permit the whole device with books therein to be lifted and transported from one location to another. This feature is particularly advantageous when the device is used in a library where books to be read may be inserted between the upstanding members and then transported in the device to adesk location where the books may be examined and read as desired.

In assembling the device shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the units 10, 10' are simply slid over the end of the supporting panel 26 with the bevelled edges being dovetailed in the manner described.

It should now be clear that the device shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 can be used either with or without the supporting panel 26. When it is desired to employ the device for library purposes where books are transported from one locale to another, such as from the stacks to a reading desk, the units should be mounted on the panel 26 as described. Where, for example, the device is to remain on a desk or table more or less at all times, the panel 26 may be dispensed with, in which event the device would be just as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and would be used in the same way.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 so that like reference numerals will be employed in indicating like parts. Though the shape and contour of the parts may differ from like parts of the earlier embodiment the device, like that embodiment is comprised of two units 10, 10' comprised of L- shaped members with base members l2, l2, upstanding members 14, 14', plates l6, l6 spacer elements 18 with rollers 22, over which an elastic band extends in the same manner. Likewise, the embodiment of FIGS. 10-13 has a supporting panel 26 on which the units 10, 10' are slidably mounted through a dovetail arrangement. The principal difference between the embodiments is that in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 13 the panel 26, intermediate its ends is provided with an upstanding partition 30. This partition is of a height greater than the usual height of books or other items to be supported by the device and its upper end is formed with an elongated cutout 32 in such manner as to constitute a handle so that the whole device can be lifted thereby and carried from place to place as desired.

Becauseof the presence of the partition 30 with its handle cutout 32, the device cannot be assembled in the same manner as the earlier embodiment Instead, one of the units 10, must be slided on one end of the panel 26 until it abuts the partition, the other unit being slided on the other end until it too abuts the partition 26. Then the elastic band 24 is placed in position by holding it in a stretched position and inserting it over the partition 30 and over the upstanding members 14, 14' and thence between the bases 12, 12' and plates 16, 16' and over the rollers 22, as shown in dash lines in FIG. 10.

Heretofore in this specification the term elastic band has been employed. It is to be understood however, that such a band may actually consist of several elastic bands. The bands may be of any good elastic material which can be subjected to a great many stretchings without deterioration. A good grade of synthetic or natural rubber band has proved very suitable. The use of several rubber bands for example, instead of a single band presents the advantage that the force which draws the units together and resists their separation so as to effect the best clamping action can be varied simply by using a greater or lesser number of bands.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 14 and 15 which illustrate an alternate arrangement for mounting the elastic bands. Here the elastic bands 24 are disposed near each side edge of the plates 16 and parallel to such edges and the bands are held in position by being passed over knobs or studs 34 extending upwardly. The bands 24 thus are disposed between the plates 16, 16' and the bases 12, I2. It should now be clear from FIG. 14 that as books or other material is inserted between the upstanding members 14, 14 that separation of these members is effect against the tension of the elastic bands 2d, which stretch to permit the introduction of the material and then cause the upstanding members to clamp the inserted books or the like firmly in place. It should be mentioned, as should now be apparent that this arrangement of elastic bands can be employed with any of the embodiments illustrated in place of the band arrangements therein disclosed although the arrangements disclosed in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 present, it is believed, advantages in that they are more stable though they permit even greater ease of operation.

In FIGS. It) and 17 there is shown an embodiment wherein a solid intermediate portion 36 provided with protuberances 38, 39 and 40 each being relatively smooth curved surfaces comprises the elastic band retaining means.

In this embodiment the L-shaped unit is formed as a continuous unitary structure as by molding so as to leave a space 38 below the top portion 12.

It is claimed:

' ll. An apparatus for holding books and the like which comprises a first generally L-shaped unit, a second generally L-shaped unit, said units being comprised of a horizontal member and an upstanding member and said units being arranged in back-to-back relationship to each other each horizontal member of said L-shaped units comprising a top element, a bottom element spaced apart from said top element and substantially parallel thereto, and an elastic band retaining means disposed between said top and bottom elements and secured to at least one of said elements, said elastic band retaining means having portions situated on either side of a vertical plane perpendicularly bisecting the upstanding member and spaced apart. therefrom, said portions having a relatively smooth external surface about vertical axes, and at least one elastic band circumscribing opposite portions of the elastic band retaining means on each of said L-shaped units about said relatively smooth surfaces, said elastic band lying wholly in a substantially horizontal plane.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elastic retaining means are connected to both said top and bottom elements and a continuous elastic band circumscribes the elastic band retaining means on said first and second L-shaped units about said relatively smooth surfaces.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the elastic retaining means each comprise a plurality of spaced elements equal in number.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and second retaining means each comprise three spacer elements.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of the three spacer elements are spaced apart and positioned adjacent the plane of the upstanding member and the third spacer element is positioned away from the plane of said two spacer elements and substantially equidistant from the two spacer elements.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the spacer elements are cylindrical in shape.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the spacer elements are of a synthetic plastic material.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said elastic retaining means comprises a solid intermediate portion extending between and integral with said top and bottom elements;

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said elastic retaining means is provided with three protuberances each having relatively smooth curved external surfaces about which said elastic band is circumscribed, two of said protuberances being spaced apart and disposed adjacent the plane of the upstanding member and the third protuberance being disposed away from the plane of said two spaced apart protuberances and substantially equidistant therefrom.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the elastic band is selected from synthetic rubber and natural rubber.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second L-shaped units are unitary structured of a rigid synthetic plastic material.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the plastic material is polystryene.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the upstanding member and the horizontal member of each of said first and second units form slightly less than a right angle so that when circumscribed in closed position by said elastic band the upstanding members of said first and second units form a V-shape.

14. An apparatus as claimed in. claim 3 wherein the undersides of the bottom elements of said first and second L-shaped units are provided with means by which said bottom elements may be slidably mounted on a supporting panel extending beneath the top surface of said bottom elements in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the upstanding members.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bottom elements are slidably mounted on a supporting panel extending beneath the top surface of both bottom elements in a direction perpendicular to the upstanding members.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein top longitudinal portions of each upstanding member are bent outwardly to facilitate insertion of books and the like.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the top longitudinal portions of the upstanding members are curved outwardly to form handles.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including a supporting panel an upstanding partition member attached to said supporting panel between said upstanding members and having a handle means provided at its upper end.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bottom elements have a central rectangular cutout on their under surfaces the edges of the cutouts being bevelled and the side edges of the supporting panel being bevelled in a complementary direction.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elastic retaining means each comprises two spacer elements spaced apart on either side of a vertical plane perpendicularly bisecting said upstanding members and wherein separate elastic bands circumscribe opposing spacer elements.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the spacer elements are provided with rollers mountedto rotate about vertical axes. 

1. An apparatus for holding books and the like which comprises a first generally L-shaped unit, a second generally L-shaped unit, said units being comprised of a horizontal member and an upstanding member and said units being arranged in back-to-back relationship to each other each horizontal member of said Lshaped units comprising a top element, a bottom element spaced apart from said top element and substantially parallel thereto, and an elastic band retaining means disposed between said top and bottom elements and secured to at least one of said elements, said elastic band retaining means having portions situated on either side of a vertical plane perpendicularly bisecting the upstanding member and spaced apart therefrom, said portions having a relatively smooth external surface about vertical axes, and at least one elastic band circumscribing opposite portions of the elastic band retaining means on each of said L-shaped units about said relatively smooth surfaces, said elastic band lying wholly in a substantially horizontal plane.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elastic retaining means are connected to both said top and bottom elements and a continuous elastic band circumscribes the elastic band retaining means on said first and second L-shaped units about said relatively smooth surfaces.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the elastic retaining means each comprise a plurality of spaced elements equal in number.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and second retaining means each comprise three spacer elements.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of the three spacer elements are spaced apart and positioned adjacent the plane of the upstanding member and the third spacer element is positioned away from the pLane of said two spacer elements and substantially equidistant from the two spacer elements.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the spacer elements are cylindrical in shape.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the spacer elements are of a synthetic plastic material.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said elastic retaining means comprises a solid intermediate portion extending between and integral with said top and bottom elements.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said elastic retaining means is provided with three protuberances each having relatively smooth curved external surfaces about which said elastic band is circumscribed, two of said protuberances being spaced apart and disposed adjacent the plane of the upstanding member and the third protuberance being disposed away from the plane of said two spaced apart protuberances and substantially equidistant therefrom.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the elastic band is selected from synthetic rubber and natural rubber.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second L-shaped units are unitary structured of a rigid synthetic plastic material.
 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the plastic material is polystryene.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the upstanding member and the horizontal member of each of said first and second units form slightly less than a right angle so that when circumscribed in closed position by said elastic band the upstanding members of said first and second units form a V-shape.
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the undersides of the bottom elements of said first and second L-shaped units are provided with means by which said bottom elements may be slidably mounted on a supporting panel extending beneath the top surface of said bottom elements in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the upstanding members.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bottom elements are slidably mounted on a supporting panel extending beneath the top surface of both bottom elements in a direction perpendicular to the upstanding members.
 16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein top longitudinal portions of each upstanding member are bent outwardly to facilitate insertion of books and the like.
 17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the top longitudinal portions of the upstanding members are curved outwardly to form handles.
 18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including a supporting panel an upstanding partition member attached to said supporting panel between said upstanding members and having a handle means provided at its upper end.
 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bottom elements have a central rectangular cutout on their under surfaces the edges of the cutouts being bevelled and the side edges of the supporting panel being bevelled in a complementary direction.
 20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elastic retaining means each comprises two spacer elements spaced apart on either side of a vertical plane perpendicularly bisecting said upstanding members and wherein separate elastic bands circumscribe opposing spacer elements.
 21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the spacer elements are provided with rollers mounted to rotate about vertical axes. 